Boynton Lions gather on the club's 60th Anniversary.

“It is amazing when you look back at the tremendous service of 60 plus years of Lions have shared in Catoosa County,” said president Richmond Blackwell.

Vision is a primary focus of the organization assisting area residents who need glasses and qualify for assistance. The club regularly hosts vision screenings at community events including 1890s Day Jamboree and the Senior Expo. They also receive donations of old glasses, frames, and hearing aids which are forwarded to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse.

The organization works on a statewide level with Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and the Emory Child Care Center, he said.

The club works with other area non-profits supporting numerous programs throughout the county that encourage youth and work to improve opportunities for area families to succeed in life. As part of its youth focus, the club presents the Thomas Duckett Award annually to two rising graduates of Boynton Elementary School.

Ryan Harris and his grandfather Lamar Harris, who was Duckett’s first cousin. Rogers is not pictured. (Contributed photo)

The Boynton Lions Club honors Boynton Elementary graduates that exemplify the spirit and character of Catoosa County war hero Major Thomas Duckett. Duckett was reported MIA, missing in action, during the Vietnam War when his fighter jet was shot down. Duckett graduated from Boynton Elementary and Ringgold High School.

Another major community project is the long-term care and maintenance of the Dailey Hill Cemetery. The group is now receiving donations from friends and relatives of those interred there to assist with the costs of mowing and upkeep.

The Club supports its efforts through fundraisers including its annual Vidalia Onion sale.

Boynton Lions Club Meetings: Second Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is catered by the Dinner Bell. Cost is $6.50. Where: Boynton United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Membership dues: $21 per quarter.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.